ACT Science : Physics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Science

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #43 : How To Find Conflicting Viewpoints In Physics

Two scientists are concerned with producing electricity with magnets.

Scientist 1 believes that rotating a magnet within a coil of wires will produce electricity. Scientist 1 asserts that the larger the magnet the more electricity will be produced. 

Scientist 2 believes that rotating the coil of wires around a magnet will produce electricity. Scientist 2 asserts that the more number of coils the more electricity will be produced. 

The scientists conduct the following experiment. The scientists take four magnets, A, B, C and D; with A being the smallest magnet, B the next smallest, then C and the largest magnet was D. The scientist rotate the magnets at the same constant speed in the coils and record the number of milliamps produced. This was done in copper wiring with 20, 40 and 60 coils. When testing by rotating the coil around the magnet at the same speed of the magnet rotation produced the results recorded below.

Act 2

Which of the scientist(s) viewpoints is/are supported by the experiment?

Possible Answers:

Scientist 1's viewpoints are supported, but Scientist 2's viewpoints are not supported

Scientist 1's viewpoints are not supported, but Scientist 2's viewpoints are supported

Neither scientist had their viewpoint supported

Both scientist had their viewpoints supported

Correct answer:

Both scientist had their viewpoints supported

Explanation:

In the given data, magnet D always produced the highest current. This was the largest magnet so this supports part of Scientist 1's viewpoints. The magnet rotated, which produced a current and supports all of Scientist 1's viewpoints. The same results occurred when the coils were rotated instead of the magnet indicating that Scientist 2's viewpoint is correct. Additionally as the number of coils increases so does the current, which also supports Scientist 2's viewpoints. The correct answer is that both Scientist 1's and Scientist 2's viewpoints are supported.

Example Question #181 : Physics

Sometimes scientists need to scale down experiments because collecting full-scale data may not be practical or possible. Most of the time, the data collected during a small scale-experiment is an accurate indicator of full-scale results. For example, research of craters on the Earth’s surface has indicated that the Earth has experienced a history of massive meteor collisions. It has been hypothesized that, amongst other things, these impacting meteorites caused the Earth’s oceans to vaporize. The detrimental effects associated with meteor collisions would have made the planet to be uninhabitable to humans. Due to these adverse effects, an experiment that could produce meteor-sized craters would not be possible in a full-scale setting.

Researchers have developed small-scale experiments that are exemplary of Newton’s three laws of motion. Newton’s first law states that an object in motion will stay in motion unless it is acted on by another force. This phenomenon is known as inertia. The second law comes in the form of an equation that calculates how much force is exerted on two colliding objects with respect to mass and acceleration. In other words force is equal to the mass of an object multiplied by its acceleration. The third law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In other words, forces always occur in pairs. A counter force that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction compliments each force in a particular direction. For example, if you push downwards on a table then the table, in theory, pushes upwards with the same force.

In a particular small-scale exercise, students were asked to design an experiment in which two “meteorites” would be dropped into a medium of sand and the subsequent crater diameters would be measured. Afterwards, the sand would be leveled and the experiment would be repeated. The students were asked to identify all of the factors that could affect the formation of the craters. This was done in order to ensure that each experiment was testing one independent and one dependent variable at a time. Otherwise, it would be unclear which variable is causing the observed effect. Possible variables that could alter the outcome of the experiment included but were not limited to the following: height of the fall, speed of the “meteorite,” angle of impact, and the mass of meteorite.

Consider an experiment that seeks to identify the mass of the meteorite analog. All other variables would have to remain constant in order to ensure accurate results.  In order to do this, the height of the fall was set to one meter. The object was placed on top of a vertical meter stick. In order to keep the acceleration and height of the drop constant, it was rolled off of the stick instead of being pushed or simply dropped. Last, a protractor was used to keep the meter stick at a ninety-degree angle. In the procedure, a marble and a golf ball were used as “meteorites” of different masses.

The results of the experiment were recorded in the table and figure provided.

  Crater Diameter (cm)
Trial Number
  Marble (mass = 4g) Golf ball (mass = 46g)
1 4.5 7.75
2 4.5 6
3 4 5.5
4   3 6
5 3 6.5
6 3.5 7
7 3 5
8 3 5
9 3 7
10 3.5 6
  Average Average
  3.5 cm 6.175 cm


Crater lab

Many craters on Earth have already been found; however, scientists believe there are many more that will never be discovered. Which of the following represents the most significant factor supporting this theory?

Possible Answers:

Scientists have observed numerous amounts of craters on the surface of the moon

Burning fossil fuels 

None of these

Erosion

Correct answer:

Erosion

Explanation:

The massive number of craters found on the Earth supports the theory that states that the Earth was bombarded by a similar number of meteors as the moon; however, this theory does not explain why investigators will never discover those craters. Erosion is the most plausible answer. This is because erosion—in the form of human activities, hurricanes, vegetation growth, tsunamis, etc.—cause damage to craters that wears them down and makes some of them practically invisible. 

Example Question #1302 : Act Science

Sometimes scientists need to scale down experiments because collecting full-scale data may not be practical or possible. Most of the time, the data collected during a small scale-experiment is an accurate indicator of full-scale results. For example, research of craters on the Earth’s surface has indicated that the Earth has experienced a history of massive meteor collisions. It has been hypothesized that, amongst other things, these impacting meteorites caused the Earth’s oceans to vaporize. The detrimental effects associated with meteor collisions would have made the planet to be uninhabitable to humans. Due to these adverse effects, an experiment that could produce meteor-sized craters would not be possible in a full-scale setting.

Researchers have developed small-scale experiments that are exemplary of Newton’s three laws of motion. Newton’s first law states that an object in motion will stay in motion unless it is acted on by another force. This phenomenon is known as inertia. The second law comes in the form of an equation that calculates how much force is exerted on two colliding objects with respect to mass and acceleration. In other words force is equal to the mass of an object multiplied by its acceleration. The third law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In other words, forces always occur in pairs. A counter force that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction compliments each force in a particular direction. For example, if you push downwards on a table then the table, in theory, pushes upwards with the same force.

In a particular small-scale exercise, students were asked to design an experiment in which two “meteorites” would be dropped into a medium of sand and the subsequent crater diameters would be measured. Afterwards, the sand would be leveled and the experiment would be repeated. The students were asked to identify all of the factors that could affect the formation of the craters. This was done in order to ensure that each experiment was testing one independent and one dependent variable at a time. Otherwise, it would be unclear which variable is causing the observed effect. Possible variables that could alter the outcome of the experiment included but were not limited to the following: height of the fall, speed of the “meteorite,” angle of impact, and the mass of meteorite.

Consider an experiment that seeks to identify the mass of the meteorite analog. All other variables would have to remain constant in order to ensure accurate results.  In order to do this, the height of the fall was set to one meter. The object was placed on top of a vertical meter stick. In order to keep the acceleration and height of the drop constant, it was rolled off of the stick instead of being pushed or simply dropped. Last, a protractor was used to keep the meter stick at a ninety-degree angle. In the procedure, a marble and a golf ball were used as “meteorites” of different masses.

The results of the experiment were recorded in the table and figure provided.

  Crater Diameter (cm)
Trial Number
  Marble (mass = 4g) Golf ball (mass = 46g)
1 4.5 7.75
2 4.5 6
3 4 5.5
4   3 6
5 3 6.5
6 3.5 7
7 3 5
8 3 5
9 3 7
10 3.5 6
  Average Average
  3.5 cm 6.175 cm


Crater lab

This experiment was done using objects of differing masses. Instead, imagine that the experiment was done using objects of different volumes (i.e. the mass of the objects stayed the same but their size differed). What can we theorize about the craters?

Possible Answers:

The increase in volume will cause an increase in energy upon impact.

Because the mass does not change, the object will hit the ground with the same energy in every trial. This means that the craters will increase in diameter but the depth will decrease due to the energy spreading over a larger surface area. 

Because the mass does not change, the object will hit the ground with the same energy in every trial. This means that the craters will decrease in diameter but the depth will increase due to the energy spreading over a larger surface area. 

The increase in volume will cause a decrease in the energy expelled and the craters diameter will be smaller. 

Correct answer:

Because the mass does not change, the object will hit the ground with the same energy in every trial. This means that the craters will increase in diameter but the depth will decrease due to the energy spreading over a larger surface area. 

Explanation:

The equation for kinetic energy does not account for surface area or volume because they are not factors that affect it. All objects free-fall at the same rate assuming there is no air resistance; therefore, if the mass remains the same, then the amount of energy will be kept constant. This also indicates that the same amount of energy is transferring to a larger area, which means that the objects will not travel as far into the medium. 

Example Question #41 : How To Find Conflicting Viewpoints In Physics

Scientist 1: Scientist 1 believes that light displays particle behavior. This means that rays of light have their own associated momentum. Furthermore, Scientist 1 does not believe that light will exhibit wave behavior.

Scientist 2: Scientist 2 disagrees with Scientist 1 and believes that light can exhibit wave behavior, but does not display particle behavior. In other words, this scientist believes that light does not have any momentum.

Experiment: To settle their disagreement, the scientists setup the following experiment. The scientist take dark metallic material. This material is attached to pole and the metallic material can spin if it is subjected to a force; similar to a watermill or wind turbine. This setup is then placed outside and exposed to sunlight. 

If the metallic surface rotates when exposed to light, whose viewpoint is strengthened and why? 

Possible Answers:

Scientist 1, because the light particles display momentum 

Cannot be determined from the given information

Scientist 2, because the light particles display momentum 

Scientist 2, because the light particles do not display momentum 

Scientist 1, because the light particles do not display momentum 

Correct answer:

Scientist 1, because the light particles display momentum 

Explanation:

If the metallic surface is rotating this means that somewhat is striking the surface of the metallic material. Since the only thing that is hitting the metallic surface is sunlight, it indicates that the light particles have momentum. This supports Scientist 1's viewpoint. 

Example Question #182 : Physics

Scientist 1: Scientist 1 believes that light displays particle behavior. This means that rays of light have their own associated momentum. Furthermore, Scientist 1 does not believe that light will exhibit wave behavior.

Scientist 2: Scientist 2 disagrees with Scientist 1 and believes that light can exhibit wave behavior, but does not display particle behavior. In other words, this scientist believes that light does not have any momentum.

Experiment: To settle their disagreement, the scientists setup the following experiment. The scientist take dark metallic material. This material is attached to pole and the metallic material can spin if it is subjected to a force; similar to a watermill or wind turbine. This setup is then placed outside and exposed to sunlight. 

If during the experiment the metallic material does not move, whose viewpoint is strengthened and why?

Possible Answers:

Scientist 2, because the light particles do not display momentum

Scientist 2, because the light particles display momentum

Scientist 1, because the light particles display momentum

Cannot be determined from the given information

Scientist 1, because the light do not display momentum

Correct answer:

Scientist 2, because the light particles do not display momentum

Explanation:

If the metallic surface does not move that implies that there is no force or any particles with momentum striking the surface. This means that the light particles are displaying wave behavior without momentum to strike the surface. 

Example Question #183 : Physics

As part of an engineering competition, a group of students are asked to design a flying robot that simulates the way real birds fly. Below, three of the students give their explanations for how bird flight occurs.

 

Student 1:

Birds are able to fly due to the shape of their wings. Bird wings are convex on their upper sides, while their lower sides are usually concave. This type of shape is called an airfoil. When a wing travels through the air, air passing over the top of the wing must travel a greater distance than air passing under the wing. The stream of air passing over the wing and the stream of air passing under the wing meet together at the tail end of the wing. In order for both streams of air to meet at the same point behind the wing, the air above the wing, which travels a greater distance, must travel faster than the air below the wing.

When a volume of air travels more quickly over a distance, its molecules are spread out over a greater distance. As a result, the air traveling over the top of a wing has a lower pressure than the air traveling under the wing. Because the wing has a region of low pressure above it and a region of relative high pressure below it, it experiences a net upward force. When this upward force is greater than or equal to the bird's weight, or the force exerted on a bird by gravity, the bird is able to fly.

The magnitude of the upward force depends on the speed at which air flows across the wing and on the corresponding difference in pressure over and under the wing. When birds flap their wings, they increase the speed of air flowing across their wings, thus producing a greater upward force.

 

Student 2:

There are two components to bird flight: lift and thrust. "Lift" refers to the upward force that allows a bird to stay aloft in the air despite its weight, while "thrust" refers to the horizontal force that allows a bird to move forward through the air. Birds are able to fly because they do not hold their wings perfectly horizontally. Instead, their wings are angled slightly upward. The angle at which a wing is inclined upward, with respect to the horizontal, is called its "angle of attack."

Air is not an ideal gas; instead, it has viscosity. This means that the air flowing close to a solid object tends to follow the curves of that object. When air encounters a bird's wing, it follows the incline of the wing. Because of the wing's angle of attack, the air is directed downward and back. The air continues to move downward, even after it has left the wing. This movement of the air creates an opposing force that pushes the bird upward and forward.

Thus, the angle of attack of a bird's wings accounts for both the lift and thrust components of a bird's flight.

 

Student 3:

Birds are able to fly because the way in which they move their wings allows them to create a net movement of air downward and backward. The flapping of a bird's wings can be understood as being composed of two parts: a downstroke, during which the bird moves its wings down, and an upstroke, during which the bird moves its wings up. During a downstroke, a bird displaces a quantity of air downward and behind it. During an upstroke, however, the bird's wings are angled upward in a way that displaces less air, and its wing feathers rotate to allow air to pass through them. Thus, on the upstroke, the bird much exerts less force on the air than it does on the downstroke.

The explanation given by Student 3 differs from the explanation given by Student 2 in that __________.

Possible Answers:

Student 3 explains flight in terms of a wing's downstroke and upstroke, whereas Student 2 explains flight in terms of how the shape of a wing directs air

Student 3 does not explain how birds produce thrust, whereas Student 2 does

Student 3's explanation can be used to understand both flapping and non-flapping flight, while Student 2's explanation applies only to flight where birds do not flap their wings

Student 3 states that the force generated by a wing is determined by the speed at which it moves, while Student 2 states that the force generated by a wing is determined by how air flows along the surface of the wing

Correct answer:

Student 3 explains flight in terms of a wing's downstroke and upstroke, whereas Student 2 explains flight in terms of how the shape of a wing directs air

Explanation:

Both Student 2 and Student 3 explain flight in terms of equal and opposite forces that are generated when wings move air downward and backward; however, Student 2 states that air moves downward and backward because it follows the shape and angle of a wing, while Student 3 states that air moves downward and backward because it is pushed down by a wing during the wing's downstroke.

Example Question #1306 : Act Science

As part of an engineering competition, a group of students are asked to design a flying robot that simulates the way real birds fly. Below, three of the students give their explanations for how bird flight occurs.

 

Student 1:

Birds are able to fly due to the shape of their wings. Bird wings are convex on their upper sides, while their lower sides are usually concave. This type of shape is called an airfoil. When a wing travels through the air, air passing over the top of the wing must travel a greater distance than air passing under the wing. The stream of air passing over the wing and the stream of air passing under the wing meet together at the tail end of the wing. In order for both streams of air to meet at the same point behind the wing, the air above the wing, which travels a greater distance, must travel faster than the air below the wing.

When a volume of air travels more quickly over a distance, its molecules are spread out over a greater distance. As a result, the air traveling over the top of a wing has a lower pressure than the air traveling under the wing. Because the wing has a region of low pressure above it and a region of relative high pressure below it, it experiences a net upward force. When this upward force is greater than or equal to the bird's weight, or the force exerted on a bird by gravity, the bird is able to fly.

The magnitude of the upward force depends on the speed at which air flows across the wing and on the corresponding difference in pressure over and under the wing. When birds flap their wings, they increase the speed of air flowing across their wings, thus producing a greater upward force.

 

Student 2:

There are two components to bird flight: lift and thrust. "Lift" refers to the upward force that allows a bird to stay aloft in the air despite its weight, while "thrust" refers to the horizontal force that allows a bird to move forward through the air. Birds are able to fly because they do not hold their wings perfectly horizontally. Instead, their wings are angled slightly upward. The angle at which a wing is inclined upward, with respect to the horizontal, is called its "angle of attack."

Air is not an ideal gas; instead, it has viscosity. This means that the air flowing close to a solid object tends to follow the curves of that object. When air encounters a bird's wing, it follows the incline of the wing. Because of the wing's angle of attack, the air is directed downward and back. The air continues to move downward, even after it has left the wing. This movement of the air creates an opposing force that pushes the bird upward and forward.

Thus, the angle of attack of a bird's wings accounts for both the lift and thrust components of a bird's flight.

 

Student 3:

Birds are able to fly because the way in which they move their wings allows them to create a net movement of air downward and backward. The flapping of a bird's wings can be understood as being composed of two parts: a downstroke, during which the bird moves its wings down, and an upstroke, during which the bird moves its wings up. During a downstroke, a bird displaces a quantity of air downward and behind it. During an upstroke, however, the bird's wings are angled upward in a way that displaces less air, and its wing feathers rotate to allow air to pass through them. Thus, on the upstroke, the bird much exerts less force on the air than it does on the downstroke.

Suppose that a robot is designed with a pair of wings that, on their downstroke, displace air downward and backward with a force of 10 N, and that, on their upstroke, displace air upward and forward with a force of 5 N.

Given that Student 3's explanation is correct, is it possible for such a robot to fly?

Possible Answers:

No, it is not possible, because the robot's wings exert a net force upward and forward on the air.

Yes, it is possible, because the robot's wings exert a net force upward and forward on the air.

No, it is not possible, because the robot's wings exert a net force downward and backward on the air.

Yes, it is possible, because the robot's wings exert a net force downward and backward on the air.

Correct answer:

Yes, it is possible, because the robot's wings exert a net force downward and backward on the air.

Explanation:

Student 3 states that birds are able to fly because their wings exert relatively more downward and backward force on air than they do forward and upward. According to Student 3, when a bird's wings push air backward and downward, the bird experiences an opposing force that carries it upward and forward.

In the situation described in this problem, the robot does exert a net downward and backward force on the air. So, it is possible for the robot to fly, because it will experience a force that carries it upward and forward.

Example Question #181 : Physics

As part of an engineering competition, a group of students are asked to design a flying robot that simulates the way real birds fly. Below, three of the students give their explanations for how bird flight occurs.

 

Student 1:

Birds are able to fly due to the shape of their wings. Bird wings are convex on their upper sides, while their lower sides are usually concave. This type of shape is called an airfoil. When a wing travels through the air, air passing over the top of the wing must travel a greater distance than air passing under the wing. The stream of air passing over the wing and the stream of air passing under the wing meet together at the tail end of the wing. In order for both streams of air to meet at the same point behind the wing, the air above the wing, which travels a greater distance, must travel faster than the air below the wing.

When a volume of air travels more quickly over a distance, its molecules are spread out over a greater distance. As a result, the air traveling over the top of a wing has a lower pressure than the air traveling under the wing. Because the wing has a region of low pressure above it and a region of relative high pressure below it, it experiences a net upward force. When this upward force is greater than or equal to the bird's weight, or the force exerted on a bird by gravity, the bird is able to fly.

The magnitude of the upward force depends on the speed at which air flows across the wing and on the corresponding difference in pressure over and under the wing. When birds flap their wings, they increase the speed of air flowing across their wings, thus producing a greater upward force.

 

Student 2:

There are two components to bird flight: lift and thrust. "Lift" refers to the upward force that allows a bird to stay aloft in the air despite its weight, while "thrust" refers to the horizontal force that allows a bird to move forward through the air. Birds are able to fly because they do not hold their wings perfectly horizontally. Instead, their wings are angled slightly upward. The angle at which a wing is inclined upward, with respect to the horizontal, is called its "angle of attack."

Air is not an ideal gas; instead, it has viscosity. This means that the air flowing close to a solid object tends to follow the curves of that object. When air encounters a bird's wing, it follows the incline of the wing. Because of the wing's angle of attack, the air is directed downward and back. The air continues to move downward, even after it has left the wing. This movement of the air creates an opposing force that pushes the bird upward and forward.

Thus, the angle of attack of a bird's wings accounts for both the lift and thrust components of a bird's flight.

 

Student 3:

Birds are able to fly because the way in which they move their wings allows them to create a net movement of air downward and backward. The flapping of a bird's wings can be understood as being composed of two parts: a downstroke, during which the bird moves its wings down, and an upstroke, during which the bird moves its wings up. During a downstroke, a bird displaces a quantity of air downward and behind it. During an upstroke, however, the bird's wings are angled upward in a way that displaces less air, and its wing feathers rotate to allow air to pass through them. Thus, on the upstroke, the bird much exerts less force on the air than it does on the downstroke.

The amount of force exerted on an object can be calculated by multiplying the mass of the object by the acceleration it experiences. Given that Student 3's explanation is correct, which of the following situations would allow a bird's body to experience the greatest upward force?

Possible Answers:

The bird's wings displace  of air downward at an acceleration of .

The bird's wings displace  of air downward at an acceleration of .

The bird's wings displace  of air upward at an acceleration of .

The bird's wings displace  of air upward at an acceleration of .

Correct answer:

The bird's wings displace  of air downward at an acceleration of .

Explanation:

According to Student 3, when a bird's wings push air backward and downward, the bird experiences an opposing force that carries it upward and forward. So, when a bird's wings exert a greater downward force on air, the bird will experience a greater force pulling it upward.

Since force is calculated by multiplying the mass of the air displaced by the acceleration that the air experiences, the greatest force is exerted when  of air is displaced at an acceleration of .

Example Question #1306 : Act Science

As part of an engineering competition, a group of students are asked to design a flying robot that simulates the way real birds fly. Below, three of the students give their explanations for how bird flight occurs.

 

Student 1:

Birds are able to fly due to the shape of their wings. Bird wings are convex on their upper sides, while their lower sides are usually concave. This type of shape is called an airfoil. When a wing travels through the air, air passing over the top of the wing must travel a greater distance than air passing under the wing. The stream of air passing over the wing and the stream of air passing under the wing meet together at the tail end of the wing. In order for both streams of air to meet at the same point behind the wing, the air above the wing, which travels a greater distance, must travel faster than the air below the wing.

When a volume of air travels more quickly over a distance, its molecules are spread out over a greater distance. As a result, the air traveling over the top of a wing has a lower pressure than the air traveling under the wing. Because the wing has a region of low pressure above it and a region of relative high pressure below it, it experiences a net upward force. When this upward force is greater than or equal to the bird's weight, or the force exerted on a bird by gravity, the bird is able to fly.

The magnitude of the upward force depends on the speed at which air flows across the wing and on the corresponding difference in pressure over and under the wing. When birds flap their wings, they increase the speed of air flowing across their wings, thus producing a greater upward force.

 

Student 2:

There are two components to bird flight: lift and thrust. "Lift" refers to the upward force that allows a bird to stay aloft in the air despite its weight, while "thrust" refers to the horizontal force that allows a bird to move forward through the air. Birds are able to fly because they do not hold their wings perfectly horizontally. Instead, their wings are angled slightly upward. The angle at which a wing is inclined upward, with respect to the horizontal, is called its "angle of attack."

Air is not an ideal gas; instead, it has viscosity. This means that the air flowing close to a solid object tends to follow the curves of that object. When air encounters a bird's wing, it follows the incline of the wing. Because of the wing's angle of attack, the air is directed downward and back. The air continues to move downward, even after it has left the wing. This movement of the air creates an opposing force that pushes the bird upward and forward.

Thus, the angle of attack of a bird's wings accounts for both the lift and thrust components of a bird's flight.

 

Student 3:

Birds are able to fly because the way in which they move their wings allows them to create a net movement of air downward and backward. The flapping of a bird's wings can be understood as being composed of two parts: a downstroke, during which the bird moves its wings down, and an upstroke, during which the bird moves its wings up. During a downstroke, a bird displaces a quantity of air downward and behind it. During an upstroke, however, the bird's wings are angled upward in a way that displaces less air, and its wing feathers rotate to allow air to pass through them. Thus, on the upstroke, the bird much exerts less force on the air than it does on the downstroke.

Because the bird exerts a net downward and backward force on the air, it experiences an equal and opposite force which carries it upward and forward.

Student 2's account of the the way that a flow of air propels a bird forward is most similar to which of the following situations?

Possible Answers:

A glider gains speed as it circles around a column of rising air.

A ping-pong ball is lifted up in the stream of hot air from an upturned blow-dryer.

A kite is blown north by a breeze coming from the south.

An airplane's propellers push the airplane forward by blowing air behind the airplane.

Correct answer:

An airplane's propellers push the airplane forward by blowing air behind the airplane.

Explanation:

In the explanation, Student 2 states that a bird's wing propels a bird forward by directing air downward and backward. This is most similar to the way that an airplane moves forward when its propellers blow air backward. In both cases, a flying object propels itself forward by moving a medium in the opposite direction.

Example Question #51 : How To Find Conflicting Viewpoints In Physics

As part of an engineering competition, a group of students are asked to design a flying robot that simulates the way real birds fly. Below, three of the students give their explanations for how bird flight occurs.

 

Student 1:

Birds are able to fly due to the shape of their wings. Bird wings are convex on their upper sides, while their lower sides are usually concave. This type of shape is called an airfoil. When a wing travels through the air, air passing over the top of the wing must travel a greater distance than air passing under the wing. The stream of air passing over the wing and the stream of air passing under the wing meet together at the tail end of the wing. In order for both streams of air to meet at the same point behind the wing, the air above the wing, which travels a greater distance, must travel faster than the air below the wing.

When a volume of air travels more quickly over a distance, its molecules are spread out over a greater distance. As a result, the air traveling over the top of a wing has a lower pressure than the air traveling under the wing. Because the wing has a region of low pressure above it and a region of relative high pressure below it, it experiences a net upward force. When this upward force is greater than or equal to the bird's weight, or the force exerted on a bird by gravity, the bird is able to fly.

The magnitude of the upward force depends on the speed at which air flows across the wing and on the corresponding difference in pressure over and under the wing. When birds flap their wings, they increase the speed of air flowing across their wings, thus producing a greater upward force.

 

Student 2:

There are two components to bird flight: lift and thrust. "Lift" refers to the upward force that allows a bird to stay aloft in the air despite its weight, while "thrust" refers to the horizontal force that allows a bird to move forward through the air. Birds are able to fly because they do not hold their wings perfectly horizontally. Instead, their wings are angled slightly upward. The angle at which a wing is inclined upward, with respect to the horizontal, is called its "angle of attack."

Air is not an ideal gas; instead, it has viscosity. This means that the air flowing close to a solid object tends to follow the curves of that object. When air encounters a bird's wing, it follows the incline of the wing. Because of the wing's angle of attack, the air is directed downward and back. The air continues to move downward, even after it has left the wing. This movement of the air creates an opposing force that pushes the bird upward and forward.

Thus, the angle of attack of a bird's wings accounts for both the lift and thrust components of a bird's flight.

 

Student 3:

Birds are able to fly because the way in which they move their wings allows them to create a net movement of air downward and backward. The flapping of a bird's wings can be understood as being composed of two parts: a downstroke, during which the bird moves its wings down, and an upstroke, during which the bird moves its wings up. During a downstroke, a bird displaces a quantity of air downward and behind it. During an upstroke, however, the bird's wings are angled upward in a way that displaces less air, and its wing feathers rotate to allow air to pass through them. Thus, on the upstroke, the bird much exerts less force on the air than it does on the downstroke.

Which of the following questions is not answered in the explanation of flight given by Student 1?

Possible Answers:

How does the shape of a bird's wing allow the bird to fly?

What determines the strength of the upward force that a bird experiences?

What happens to the force a bird experiences when the bird flaps its wings?

How can a bird remain in the air without flapping its wings?

How does a bird move forward through the air?

Correct answer:

How does a bird move forward through the air?

Explanation:

Student 1 explains birds' ability to fly in terms of the airfoil shape of their wings. This explanation states that by creating a region of relative low pressure above the wing and relative high pressure below the wing, birds' wings produce an upward force which acts on the bird; however, this explanation does not discuss any forward force acting on a bird. This explanation only gives an account of how birds stay aloft in the air, not of how they move forward.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors